Having been asked to be a judge for this year’s South East Wines of the Year awards, I was seated at the “judges table” for this evening’s awards dinner – all rather odd with the judges sitting in a row facing the room – I felt like I was getting married.

The room was surprised to hear that this year there were no gold medals. Not having been involved in the awards before I’m not best placed to say why there were no golds. However, I think it’s fair to say that the wines this year were great, and perhaps part of the reason for the missing gilt is that English Wines are now at the level at which they are no longer judged so much as English Wines, but have transcended into being compared at an international level. I certainly like to think so.

The 7 wines which were awarded silver medals were all served at the dinner, and I think they tasted delicious:

Peter Morgan (left) collects the award for the best wine from Chair of Judges, Andy Howard

Plumpton Estate’s Dean Blush Brut (NV)

Gusbourne’s Estate’s Blanc de Blancs (2007)

Bolney Wine Estate’s Pinot Noir (2011)

Biddenden Vineyard’s Gribble Bridge Rosé (2011)

Denbies Wine Estate’s Ranmore Hill (2009)

Hill Farm Vineyard’s Hill Farm Dry White (2011)

Sandhurst Vineyard’s Sandhurst Bacchus (2011)

Bronze medals were given to 29 wines and 17 others were highly commended. There’s a more detailed review on Owen Elias’s blog.

There was great news for Plumpton Estate when Peter Morgan was asked to go forward and collect the trophy for best wine for The Dean Brut Blush. Well done Peter (and those students who helped him out for the wine from the 2009 vintage)!

Gusbourne’s gorgeous Blanc de Blancs 2007 won the cup for second place.